Ocala police are warning residents and local businesses of counterfeit money circulating in the area.

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Officials said they received seven calls relating to counterfeit money being passed to businesses in January.

In the last three months, authorities have received 33 reports involving counterfeit money.

Businesses are encouraged to closely exam money for any indication of counterfeiting, said Ocala police fraud experts. Businesses are asked to call police if they think someone is trying to pass them fake money.

Authorities said that the most common denominations for the counterfeit bills are $100, $50 and $20.

Officials said lately they have been finding $10 bills and $5 bills. Investigators said they believe the economy is to blame for the rise in fake bills.

"Back in the days you think they would only pass $100 and $50 bills, but now people are doing fives and 10s, just because they don't think anyone would check it," said Nefty Montfort of the Tilted Kilt restaurant.

The Ocala Police Department urges anyone with information on suspected counterfeit bill manufacturing to call them or CrimeStoppers at 352-368-7867.

To learn more about the difference between real and fake money, visit the Secret Service's website: How to detect fake money